Paducah, originally called Pekin, began around 1815 as a mixed community of Native Americans and white settlers who were attracted to the spot due to its location at the confluence of many waterways.
During the American Civil War on September 6, 1861, forces under Union General Ulysses S. Grant captured Paducah, which gave the Union control of the mouth of the Tennessee River.
In 1937, the Ohio River at Paducah rose above its 50-foot flood stage on January 21, cresting at 60.8 feet on February 2 and receding again to 50-feet on February 15. For nearly three weeks, 27,000 residents were forced to flee to higher ground to stay with friends and relatives in higher ground in McCracken County or in other counties.
In 1948 the Atomic Energy Commission selected Paducah as the site for a new Uranium enrichment Plant. The plant, originally operated by Union Carbide has changed hands several times and is now operated by the United States Enrichment Corporation.
In August of 2000, Paducah’s Artist Relocation Program was started to offer incentives for artists to relocate to its historical Downtown and Lower Town areas. The program has become a national model for using the arts for economic development.
In September of 2004 plans gelled to bring a hightened awareness of Paducah's musical roots to the forefront of public consciousness, through the redevelopment of the South side of Downtown.
-From Wikipedia
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